College and Career Readiness Opportunities for Latinx English Learners in Urban High Schools

Through interviews and focus groups with 21 high school seniors, this research examines the experiences of Latinx English learners in college and career academies in urban districts across California. In California, the college and career readiness landscape is varied and complex. However, many stakeholders see the Linked Learning approach as leading the reform effort in preparing students for a full range of post-secondary options. Using opportunity to learning theory (OTL) within a social capital framework, we sought to understand the college and career readiness experiences of Latinx English learner students. The results indicated that students expressed a clear desire to attend college and pursue a career. Additional findings reveal that students benefited from the Linked Learning experience in ways that contributed to their self-confidence, increased responsibility, and important 21st century skills that could be used beyond the classroom. However, despite having accumulated social capital, students articulated existing challenges that they must navigate as they pursue their post-secondary opportunities, including attending college and entering the workforce. The recommendations include a multi-pronged approach to addressing the college and career readiness of Latinx English learner students.